As we flip the calendar from July to August, we move into the final month of summer. Rain has been scare, but has come at opportune times to revive our wilted garden and provide new produce.
The plants that seemed to fit their space perfectly a month ago have leapt beyond their neat rows and beds. The small sunflowers that Maggie snuck into one of the raised beds are now in bloom and towering over the broccoli and tomatoes. The grass bordering the beds is now impossible to trim without damaging other plants.
Our plants have finally outpaced the weeds that we fought to keep under control. Unfortunately, our plants are also starting to fight with each other. The winter squash, which we had to re-plant due to the late frost, are underfoot and expanding into everything. It will soon be a challenge to get to the summer squash and tomatillos. The kohlrabi that is just starting to spout will likely be overwhelmed by melon vines. Next year, we will need to rethink where we are planting vining crops.
Henry loves beets, and they are the first thing he eats if they are on his dinner plate. We have harvested the last of the beets and carrots, and are now eating squash and pole beans. A few tomatoes are just starting to turn orange. We picked over 10 pounds of pickling cucumbers so far, and are trying our hand at fermented dill pickles. The bush beans planted in the garlic bed are growing well, and should miss the worst of the Japanese beetles that skeletonized many of the pole bean leaves.
After another week of 90F+ days, we will be starting August dry, but with lower temperatures. We have cautiously started to look at tomato sauce and salsa recipes, hopeful that we will continue to get rain at critical points and push the garden over the finish line.
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